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VCDS (aka Vagcom) For all your electronic debug / diag advice queries and mods.

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  #1  
Old 12th June 2016, 08:13 AM
Dxthomas Dxthomas is offline
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Default VagCom Newbie

So, I'm keen to get my hands on some VCDS kit - so that I can scan and read fault codes on any cars which I might be looking to buy. Would also be handy thereafter - to save so many trips to my local garage.

Can someone point me in the right direction of the basics in terms of getting setup on this.

I've read around, and a few people back in 2014 were recommending the Lenovo X200 as a laptop to run the software. Is this still a good option?

And for the software itself - buy direct from RossTech? Do I go for the Lite (says only pre 2006 on the website).

Finally - the cable. Suggestions?

Think VCDS for dummies!
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  #2  
Old 12th June 2016, 08:18 AM
limoncello limoncello is offline
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just about any laptop should run it

the software is free

its only the cable you have to worry about

cheap ones on ebay will let some of the functionality work, the proper cable can be brought from a few places on line and is a safer option.
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  #3  
Old 12th June 2016, 09:36 AM
paulrstaylor paulrstaylor is offline
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And the X200 is ideal, as it is touch screen so makes it simple to use
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  #4  
Old 12th June 2016, 08:38 PM
Dxthomas Dxthomas is offline
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Thanks all.

Regarding the "proper" cable - I'm guessing that's the one retailing at circa. £270? Anyone found it for less?
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  #5  
Old 12th June 2016, 08:40 PM
limoncello limoncello is offline
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thats the one unless you can find someone selling one, they dont come up very option
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Gone but not forgotten: A8 D3 2005- AMI HDD, Audible Parking, TV, NAV, Bluetooth, Hybrid TV, Aftermarket headrest monitors, Rosstech VCDS / Vagcom
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  #6  
Old 13th June 2016, 02:03 PM
ainarssems ainarssems is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by paulrstaylor View Post
And the X200 is ideal, as it is touch screen so makes it simple to use
There are Lenovo x200 and Asus X200, I am going to assume we are talking Lenovo here as they have been discussed on forum before. As far as I know Lenovo X200 laptop does not have touchscreen, only the X200T tablet, and even then it is pen input not finger touchscreen. If you want proper touchscreen you want X201T tablet.

I do have Lenovo X200T with pen input if anybody is interested.
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  #7  
Old 13th June 2016, 11:20 PM
paulrstaylor paulrstaylor is offline
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My x200t is pen or fingers, Lenovo call it multitouch I think?

Has been retired a while now, replaced with a t440 which is fingers only!
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  #8  
Old 15th June 2016, 09:26 AM
Dave McB Dave McB is offline
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invest in the proper kit.

the cheap copies and software only harm your computer - from experience
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  #9  
Old 20th June 2016, 10:38 AM
Dxthomas Dxthomas is offline
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Thanks for your help everyone.

£270 for the cable (+ cost of laptop) pays for a lot of visits to my local garage for a scan. Might still be worth it though.
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